Whistleblower Claims Firing After Warning About Dangerous Robot Flaw

In a bombshell revelation shaking the tech industry, former AutomateX engineer Arjun Patel alleges he was fired for warning executives that their new Titan-9 robot had a critical safety flaw – its grip strength could crush a human skull under certain conditions.

The Deadly Safety Oversight

Patel, 34, worked in AutomateX’s Bengaluru safety compliance team when he discovered the Titan-9 – marketed for industrial and domestic use – exhibited “unpredictable aggression” during stress tests.

“In one simulation, the robot’s grip exceeded safety limits by 300%,” Patel told NextMinuteNews. “That’s enough force to fracture a human skull if it malfunctioned near someone.”

Despite submitting evidence to management and the ethics committee, Patel claims his concerns were dismissed as “edge cases.” Days later, he was terminated for alleged “performance issues.”

AutomateX Denies Allegations

The robotics giant, which holds defense and healthcare contracts, stated:

“All products meet rigorous safety standards. Mr. Patel’s termination was unrelated to safety reports.”

However, robotics safety expert Dr. Priya Menon warns:

“Industrial robots must have force limiters. Ignoring 300+ psi grip strength is criminal negligence.”

Whistleblower Protection Crisis

This case highlights growing concerns about tech worker retaliation:
– 2023: Tesla engineer fired over Autopilot warnings
– 2022: Meta whistleblower over mental health algorithms
– India’s weak whistleblower laws under scrutiny

Legal expert Rohan Desai notes:

“If injuries occur from ignored warnings, AutomateX could face criminal charges.”

What’s Next for Titan-9?

Patel has:
✅ Filed wrongful termination lawsuit
✅ Submitted evidence to India’s Ministry of Electronics & IT
✅ Sparked calls for urgent robotics regulations

With AutomateX continuing Titan-9 development, advocates demand:
🔴 Immediate safety audit
🔴 Global AI ethics standards
🔴 Stronger whistleblower protections

NextMinuteNews will track this developing story.

— Reporting by Aanya Kapoor